Buggy-top connection



(No Model.) R. 0. BARTLETT. BUGGY TOP CONNECTION.

No.-585;550. Patented June 29, 1897.

WITNESSES INVENTOR Tu: nomus Pawns 1:01 maraumm WASNXNOTON n a ATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT C. BARTLETT, OF EADS, TENNESSEE.

BUGGY-TOP CONNECTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 585,550, dated June 29, 1897. Application filed January 14, 1897. Serial No. 619,139. (No model.)

To (Z5 whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT C. BARTLETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Eads, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Buggy-Top Connections; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to buggy-top con-.

nections; and the objectin view is to provide a secure and reliable connection between the body and top of a buggy or other vehicle, whereby the top is thoroughly braced with relation to the body and liability of the top becoming loose by reason of persons continually leaning against the same is reduced to a minimum.

The invention consists in certain novel features and details of construction, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a sufficient portion of the buggy top and body to illustrate the location and use of the improved connection. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the improved connecting device. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the rail of the buggy to which the top is secured.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The connecting device contemplated in this invention consists, essentially, of a body portion 1, which is preferably formed in rectangular shape, and consists of a metal plate provided at suitable points with openings or perforations 2 for the reception of rivets,

1 bolts, or other suitable fasteners 3, by means of which the connecting device maybe united rigidly to the lower end of one of the rear stays or uprights 4 at the back of the top frame of a buggy or other vehicle. The body or plate 1 is made of sufficient length to extend across the lower end of such brace or upright, and is provided at its lower edge with depending stems or bolts 5, which are threaded to receive thumb-nuts 6. The stems or bolts 5 are spaced any suitable distance apart, being preferably located near the ends of the body or plate 1.

The top rail 7 of the buggy-seat or vehicle body is swelled or expanded at points corresponding tothe location of the bolts 5 and provided with openings at such points for the reception of the bolts. The bd'lts5are passed down through such openings, and the thumbnuts 6 are then applied to the bolts and screwed tightly against the lower side of the rail, thus binding the rear stays of the top frame rigidly and firmly to the rail and formingathorough-braced connection, which will obviate the loosening of the buggy-top by reason of the undue weight and strain brought to bear thereon by persons occupying the vehicle and leaning heavily against the backstays. Should any looseness occur, the thumb-nut may be readily adjusted for taking up such looseness, thus enabling the buggy-top to be kept tight and secure in relationto the vehicle body or seat, as the case may be.

It will be understood that one of the improved connecting devices is applied to the lower end of each of the stays, and by reason of the remoteness of the bolts or stems 5 of each device a broad bearing and braced connection is formed between the carriage-top and vehicle.

The device is extremely simple in construction and may be readily applied to any vehicle.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- The herein-described connection for fastening carriage-tops in place, consisting of a plate having a pluralityof openings for the reception of fasteners adapted to be secured flatwise against a carriage-top and provided with bolts or stems projecting from one edge thereof and spaced apart to leave a straight intervening bearing edge, said bolts or stems being threaded to receive nuts, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBT. C. BARTLETT.

Witnesses:

R. E. BARTLETT, O. A. LYNN. 

